Add Grand Rapids, Michigan to your adventures: A weekend itinerary

So, you’ve tackled New York, Miami, and L.A. You’ve been to the major cities, the theme parks, and have seen the Grand Canyon. There are a few notches under your belt when it comes to trips, but now you want to dig a little deeper. You want to see some lesser-known parts of the U.S. that have a soul and a vibe all their own. You might want a cool place for the girls to go for the weekend, or an easy destination for a family with a short flight and lots to do.

Let me tell you about Grand Rapids, Michigan. It has its own airport and is less than an hour from Lake Michigan. The city itself has great pride in its creativity and diverse offerings. There’s a thriving craft beer scene, walkable downtown boasting world-class museums, and lots of nearby outdoor space to connect with nature. As my first experience in the state, I’m so glad we took some time to relax and have fun in this ideal spot for traveling with family and friends.

Here’s some itinerary suggestions and a personal lowdown on how to make Grand Rapids your next trip to the Midwest (any time of year!)

Easy-peasy ways to get to Grand Rapids from the East Coast

Allegiant Air flies direct from Boston to Grand Rapids, and it’s less than two hours. It was so simple to hop on a plane, grab a rental car right next to the arrival terminal, and be on our way. You can get a direct flight from Newark as well.

Grand Rapids is the same time zone as the East Coast as well, so no worries on jet lag or time changes ; that’s a bonus.

Amazingly, I packed only carry-on (!) for my family of four, and we just brought the stroller. The hotel had a pack ‘n play in the room, and we used BabyQuip to rent two car seats when we got there.

Where to Stay in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you’re in town for ArtPrize or want to be as centrally located as possible, the Amway Grand Plaza by Hilton is a perfect option. It boasts a 100-year long history of being a mainstay in the city as a luxurious place for events, dining, and relaxing. I took advantage of the on-site parking and loved to poke through the shops on the main floor. My little ones were swimming in the glass-ceiling pool almost every day while we looked on from the jacuzzi. 

And I’m not sure if it’s a permanent thing, but when we ventured downtown there was a mini pop-up bar on the street through one of the hotel’s open doors. The bartender offered sangria and mixed drinks to enjoy while you strolled through ArtPrize.

Grand Rapids Family Highlights

Great for kids, families, and getaways for adults, Grand Rapids seems to have something great for everyone. With my small children, these were a few of their favorite activities.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Easily the highlight of visiting Grand Rapids, it’s tough to see everything in one day at the Meijer Gardens. It’s been named one of the best sculpture and botanical parks in the U.S. and has been a mainstay of creativity in the Midwest since the 1990s.

There are more than 150 acres to experience, run by hundreds of staff and volunteers who believe in cultivating curiosity and beauty as a forefront to learning.

We started in the massive conservatory rooms full of tropical plants, desert flora and more. There were small birds and butterflies in the largest area that all the kids loved searching for on the stroll through. Crouch through the small side door to enter the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden, full of playful art and a massive, seasonal water play area designed to look like the Great Lakes. There’s an ode to Michigan’s farming culture, a treehouse-like play area, and a beautiful Japanese garden too. We paid for a tram tour to get around the main areas with ease, but there’s also a free shuttle service.

Some installations are permanent, while others rotate regularly. Check the site for ongoing news about events and exhibits.

If the little ones are super hungry after a long morning, pop into Morning Belle for lunch or brunch until 3PM. They have lots of staples and freshly made dishes for all tastes. My daughters and I devoured some mini donuts and hearty salad bowls, plus a blood orange mimosa for me.

John Ball Zoo

It’s a thrill to see all the upcoming renovations up close! The John Ball Zoo is already a wonderful place to visit, and they are working hard on expanding animal habitats for visitors and creatures to both enjoy. They will be opening a brand-new otter habitat in 2026 that’s triple the size for the animals to thrive. The zoo also welcomed a new baby pygmy hippo this year.

Besides the palpable excitement with the enhancements, lots of classic habitats help you get up close to animals from all over the world, including kangaroos, bears, exotic birds and so much more.

PS, there’s a small playground near the parking lot for getting out some extra wiggles if necessary before or after your visit.

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

Just steps from the Amway Grand Hotel is a bright and sunny space for kids to learn, cultivate their creativity, and learn a few things too. There are loads of imaginative stations to play, from a bubble exhibit and puppet show area to a weather installation and tons of buildable Legos.

Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives

The symbol artwork behind the GRAAMA means “nea onnim no sua a, ohu” meaning, “he who does not know can know from learning.” It’s an important and interesting place to definitely include in your Grand Rapids visit. The organization is celebrating ten years of telling the stories of African Americans, amplifying the voices of those in Grand Rapids and beyond. See these memories come to life through special events, art galleries, photo exhibits and donated artifacts.

The museum is in the middle of being relocated, so check the website to make sure you visit the right spot. We popped in mid-move and had a look at some of the exhibits not transferred over yet.

Sweet treats and satisfying drinks in Grand Rapids City

Downtown Market Grand Rapids

A sprawling center of culinary delights, the market is a great way to sample a few local businesses in one place. Do note that it tends to wind down a little earlier than the stated opening times, but we still had the chance to grab a few snacks, sodas, and pastries for the next day.

Lucy’s

I wish there was time to sit down for breakfast at Lucy’s, but we did pop in for a massive donut and coffee on our way to the John Ball Zoo. The retro vibe is cozy and portions are generous.

Sundance Grill

Have a quick margarita and a Tex-Mex meal downtown at this tasty lunch spot near all the best attractions. There are many hearty menu items both the adults and kids love.

Founder’s

Our Michigan friend tipped us off about Founder’s, which is great for a bite and brew. My husband indulged in a mini beer tasting flight and I enjoyed an easy drinking IPA on tap. They had some fun ice cream pops to finish too from local Ice Box Brand: don’t miss the one with pretzels, peanuts, and stout beer!

San Chez Bistro for a drink

The ambiance at Chez Bistro is fun and flirty, so we ordered a sangria and nibbles before dinner. The Spanish-style dishes were a little far from tradition, but I’m also biased as I spent a year living in Spain. Overall it’s a great spot for a sip and mingle downtown

Blue Moon ice cream

You can find this mysterious Michigan flavor at most ice cream shops in the city. Make sure you ask about its lore. No one knows for sure the flavor of this bright blue ice cream, but some say it tastes like fruity cereal. Others swear it’s cotton candy or even almond flavored. You be the judge and try a few from different places!

Seasonal sensations in Grand Rapids, including ArtPrize

Although it’s a gorgeous city to visit in any season, ArtPrize makes a perfect reason to visit Grand Rapids in the fall.

ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan, happens every fall and is one of the most community-driven and largest art gatherings in the country. It perfectly coincides with that crisp Midwest fall season too, so you can sip your cider and see all the amazing pieces on display.

My husband and I loved it, as did our two small children, who picked their favorite installations and loved finding new ones all over downtown. It’s paired with live music, specials run by local businesses on food and drinks, plus lots of other interactive activities at the museums and beyond. I’d definitely go again, it’s different every year!

This year there was a special appearance by the Aborialis, created by the Architects of Air. They’ve paid homage to the northern lights through the use of natural light and a massive inflatable mini maze of glowing rooms. It’s totally accessible for wheelchair users and not overly stimulating to welcome all visitors.

There’s a lot happening in and around Grand Rapids when it comes to special events. Everything’s listed on the official Experience Grand Rapids site. Among the heavy hitters are ArtPrize, Restaurant Week, and the annual Christmas markets.

What to do for a bonus day in West Michigan

If you’re an East Coaster like me, you’ll want to at least stick your toes into Lake Michigan while you’re in the area. It’s less than a 45-minute drive to the beach from the Grand Rapids airport, so we landed and made a beeline for it.

Lake Michigan’s Saugatuck

There are several lakeside towns within reach of Grand Rapids. I decided on a quick trip to Saugatuck, which is stunning any time of the year. Getting lucky in mid-fall, it was wonderful to enjoy 75-degree weather for a coffee at Blue Star Barns. It’s part bike shop and part café: my little ones loved the massive pumpkins on display and the free vintage bike pedal ride. 

Then we just drove to the closest beach on the map, called Oval Beach. In October, there wasn’t a soul there but the sun still shone. Shoulder season trips are always a little risky, but we lucked out with weather and zero crowds at a super sandy beach with crystal clear water. Definitely don’t miss the chance to see the lake while in the area. I’ll be planning a trip back for more time!

Thanks so much to Experience Grand Rapids for hosting! As always, all options are always my own and at the discretion of Pure Wander.